Bits & Pieces

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Bishop Pat’s Caring Foundation

THANK YOU FROM THE CATHOLIC CARING FOUNDATION

The Foundation would like to sincerely thank all parishioners for their prayers and support of Bishop Pat’s Foundation, throughout 2017. Through your support, the Foundation was able to give grants of over $650,000 to organisations caring and supporting families and communities in need throughout the diocese. We couldn’t have done this without your support. Thank you.

We wish you and your loved ones a blessed and safe Christmas.

THE YEAR AHEAD

We look forward to working with you throughout 2018, to ensure that we are reaching grass-roots organizations who are providing support and help to those in hardship. Our next grants round will open in Feb 2018 and close on the 13th of April, 2018. Details for making an application for a grant in 2018, will be available on our website in January www.caringfoundation.org.nz

We welcome your interest at any-time and thank you again for your support.

Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide Update

At the time of writing this, David Seymour’s ‘End of Life Choice’ bill is about to have its first reading and vote in Parliament (Wednesday 13 December). The bill seeks to legalize euthanasia and assisted suicide in New Zealand for those over 18 years with a terminal illness or an irremediable condition. By the time this notice appears in your parish newsletter, the result will be known.

If the majority of MPs voted ‘no’, the bill will have been defeated and will not progress any further. If the majority of MPs voted ‘yes’, then the bill will go to Select Committee where the public can submit their views on it. This Select Committee process will be specifically about Seymour’s bill.

The Health Select Committee conducted an inquiry last year about the issues of euthanasia and assisted suicide, releasing their report in August 2017. With over 21,000 unique submissions, 80% of those were opposed to the legalisation of euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Legalising euthanasia or assisted suicide would endanger the lives and wellbeing of people who are vulnerable, including those suffering from mental health issues, our elders, and the disabled.

Regardless of the outcome of Wednesday’s vote, this issue is important and will continue to be a topic of public debate.

“The New Day that Dawned” – a history of Catholic Charismatic Renewal in New Zealand has been compiled to commemorate the 50th anniversary Jubilee and is now available for purchase. $20 per copy plus $6.50 p&p. Contact “ccrnz.org” or Margaret Paton email margaretpaton@xtra.co.nz or phone (09).298.4409